Overview & Reviews

Swedish-born Volvo has long been a forerunner in safety research, and its vehicles have the crash test scores to prove it. These days, the brand has improved its offerings by crafting vehicles that also offer generous amounts of style and performance.

In Latin, the word "Volvo" means "I roll." Volvo cars have been rolling ever since 1927, when the first vehicle (nicknamed "Jakob") was produced in the city of Gothenburg. The company's founders, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson, put an emphasis on safety, and that dictum still holds true today. The Jakob was joined by the six-cylinder PV651 in 1929, and by 1931, more than 10,000 Volvos had been produced.

Postwar, Volvo unveiled one of its biggest successes, the PV444. By the 1950s, Volvo had begun exporting cars to the U.S., and the PV444 — with its compact size and stylish looks — helped the manufacturer quickly make a name for itself in its new territory. The decade also saw Volvo building on its reputation for being a vanguard in the area of safety; it was the first manufacturer to make vehicles with a three-point safety belt.

The 1960s saw the launch of a new Volvo sports car, the P1800. The car's sculpted good looks helped earn it celebrity status when it was featured on the long-running TV series The Saint, with Roger Moore behind the wheel. Safety features grew more advanced during this decade and Volvo was again at the forefront of the action, offering features such as padded dashboards and energy-resistant crumple zones in front and rear.

Volvo distinguished itself as the exclusive home to a number of valuable new technologies during the 1970s. If you were looking for safety features such as childproof locks, collapsible steering columns and rear-facing child seats during this decade, you'd only find them in a Volvo.

Like BMWs and Saabs, Volvos became an American "yuppie" favorite during the 1980s. The company proved its technological know-how wasn't just limited to safety when it rolled out its first turbocharged car. By the end of the decade, Volvo had unveiled new models like the front-wheel-drive 480 hatchback (for Europe) and the Italian-designed 780 coupe.

In the early '90s, Volvo launched the 850. The car was Volvo's first front-wheel-drive executive car, and teamed performance with the company's trademark attention to safety. The decade also saw Volvo rolling out new models like the S40 and C70 — cars that updated the automaker's boxy image with a more rounded, sculpted aesthetic. The company became part of the Ford family when it was acquired by the automaker in 1998. Ford helped Volvo financially, while Volvo provided Ford with new safety technologies and car platforms. Due to Ford's financial troubles during the American recession, however, Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese automaker Geely in 2010.

It's unknown how Volvo's new owner will guide the brand long term, but chances are Volvo will continue to offer sedans, coupes and SUVs known for their combination of safety and driving excitement.

User Reviews:

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  Thrilled - 2004 Volvo S80
  By TerryDB - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about this car. From the performance (starting and stopping), to the beauty (interior and exterior), to the comfortable quiet ride.

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  Stuck on Volvo, but??? - 1999 Volvo V70
  By SWEDE IN COLORADO - April 23 - 4:10 am

  Owner of Volvos since 1972. Bought the 99 @15K. Now has 68K. Recent work: ABS/Trac Control Unit, Rear seal on Turbo. Prior: AC control unit under warr. Not sure as simple and well built as older models. Power surge is super - mileage good on highway, overall appearance and safety A+ for what is known as a "brick". Prior cars: 70-144, 74-164, 76-244. My other-- 86- 740 still runs great @222K and 25 mgp/town and very little upkeep costs. Just bought a 97T5 Wagon @ 104K, not sure will keep it. First order of bus to ck the T-belt - when they blow look to rebuild the engine, so I have been warned.

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  Worst car ever? - 2004 Volvo V40
  By I Hate Volvo - April 22 - 1:13 am

  back brake pads went out before front pads. The volvo tech basically told me that it was common but there was nothing that he could do about it. Volvo didnt even bother to respond. Car handles like a banana on wheels, the interior is awful and the seats now that are worn, feel like they are filled with straw. Do I hate it? YEAH! Why dont I sell it, because Id have to sell it for 12k and I am into it at 27K. Think that I am joking, try to trade one in and then youll see the grim reality. Buy a used BMW 325 Wagon, better everything!!!! I hate this CAR!

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  Dream Car - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Al - April 21 - 10:00 am

  We just purchased the car today and took it fir a long drive down Cutler Road in Miami what an sunny day and nice breeze off the bay. We have not driven and enjoyed time together like that with my wife in a long time, With the top down we felt we were sailing in time, I want to Thank Phil at Deel Volvo for his patience and honesty they all made the process so simple and honest. I will give you all an updates as the weeks pass,

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  Nice ride in the Rocky Mountains - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Dan - April 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the second Volvo and this one is the best. It has so many great features and is fun to drive. City Safety was tested on my car at the dealer, boy did it work as designed. Very comfortable seats front and back. lot more good cargo room compared to Infinity and the electronic features are easy to work. Bluetooth is clear as a land line and auto-sync when I get into the car. The safety features of the car really impressed me and i really feel safe. Very quiet ride, almost as quiet as the Lexus with little outside noise. Good ground clearance better by 3" over my Acura MDX and much better handling and tighter feel on the road. I really enjoy driving it. Very happy.

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  2007 Volvo V50 T5 - 2007 Volvo V50
  By Frank C - April 21 - 9:06 am

  Volvo follows a distinct car philosophy which is not to everyones taste. If you like Volvos approach to design, handling, and safety the V50 is a great choice over any small SUV. We compared the V50 to station wagons from BMW, VW, Audi, and Subaru. The BMW 3 series and Audi A4, while nice, were quite a bit more expensive. The Passats drive train (2.0l 4 cylinder turbo) was uncompetitive. The Subaru felt tinny. In sum, the V50 offered the best compromise between performance and price.

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  Dont get a Volvo! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By alex - April 18 - 3:26 am

  Owning this car made me realize what kind of company Volvo is. First of all all Volvo dealers are franchased independant shops, that means Volvo has NO control over them. I had bad experience with Bay Ridge Volvo - American Inc located in Brooklyn NY. My s60 was fine until 110k miles. I started having engine idling problems. This BayRidgeVolvo dealer told me, first we will change all 6 injectors $1600 then maybe catalytic $1000+ but didnt promise that this problem will go away. I went to another shop who changed PCV valve for $150. Before they tried to shut off the check engine light 4 times, charging me each time for something new. I had to fight to get my $ back, but did not get all of it.

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  Just bought the T6 AWD XC-90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By LoriRayna - April 17 - 2:00 am

  We compared this car with the Lexus RX330. Both were great. The Lexus has better luxury features and the Volvo is more rugged. Unfortunately, Lexus couldnt touch Volvos price. I do like the car and it is fun to drive, but for the high price of the car, it would be nice to have the upgraded luxuries as standard. Add a towing hitch,running boards, or navigation and get ready to pay pretty penny. Running boards alone=$850. Also, turbo chargers make a loud whistling noise which dealer says is unavoidable.

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  The car I want to love - 2001 Volvo C70
  By samp - April 15 - 10:00 am

  What a gorgeous car! The largest and most comfortable interior of all. Unfortunately it is in the shop about every 4-6 weeks. From doors that pop open while driving, interior parts coming unstitched/falling off, seats that dont work, cheap interior materials, check engine light that malfunctions - the list goes on. Volvo and my dealer have been very helpful and accommodating in repairing the vehicle, plus always suppling a loaner car. Every time I get excited about the car,it needs repairs. This is the most expensive car I have ever purchased and the only one that has ever gone into the shop for warranty repairs. I dont know how much longer this beautiful automobile will grace my garage.

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  Nice family car - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Aaron B - April 15 - 10:00 am

  W ebought used and naw have 49K miles. There were definitely some significant electrical problems at first, but buyers should be aware that a recall has addressed this issue (at least for me). We have also experienced the ignition problems noted by others. Otherwise, a very nice alternative to a minivan for your family automobile.